Solar-Electric Planetary Missions with an Initial Out-of-Ecliptic Thrust Phase

摘要

A solar-electric propulsion mission profile with Earth gravity assist is considered that differs from more con- ventional mission designs by letting the thrust phase preceding the Earth swing by be inclined with respect to the ecliptic. The thrust acceleration is oriented normal to the orbit plane thus adding inclination without increasing the 1- astronomical unit solar distance. The out-of-ecliptic phase serves to accumulate a major relative velocity increase, directed normal to the spacecraft's orbit plane as thrust time progresses.